GAINESVILLE, Ga. — Dr. Monica Newton, founding program director of the Family Medicine residency program at Northeast Georgia Medical Center, has been elected president of the Georgia Academy of Family Physicians.
The academy is the state chapter of the American Academy of Family Physicians and focuses on promoting the health of Georgians through education, advocacy and service.
Newton has been a key figure in expanding medical education and strengthening primary care in Georgia. She has led NGMC’s Family Medicine residency program since its creation in 2019. The program now includes 36 residents.
“To be selected as president of the GAFP is a great honor,” Newton said in the announcement. “The dedication of the academy to the health of Georgians has been critical in advancing the role that family medicine physicians play throughout the state. I look forward to doing everything I can to strengthen the collaboration and efforts of the academy.”
Newton earned her medical degree from Midwestern University in Chicago and completed her Family Medicine residency at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where she also earned a master’s degree in public health. Her early career included teaching at UAB-Selma, fellowships in obstetrics and underserved medicine, and the creation of the award-winning “Family Doc in a Bus” free clinic serving rural patients.
She later spent 11 years as an associate professor and served on the Selma City Council before joining Northeast Georgia Physicians Group in Gainesville.
Helen Sairany, executive vice president of the GAFP, praised Newton’s selection.
“Dr. Newton brings a deep commitment to patient-centered care, medical education and advocacy for family medicine across Georgia,” Sairany said. “Her vision and leadership will guide GAFP as we continue to strengthen our specialty, support our members and advance access to high-quality primary care for every community in our state.”
Newton’s one-year term as president began Nov. 15.
More information about NGMC’s residency programs is available at ngmcgme.org. The Georgia Academy of Family Physicians can be found at gafp.org.
